HOW TO SHIP YOUR LITHIUM BATTERIES SAFELY Batteries

Singapore 2014
FAQ 2: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CELLS AND BATTERIES?
A cell is a single powered unit, while a battery is made up of a few cells connected together.
Cells
Batteries
Singapore 2014
HOW TO SHIP YOUR LITHIUM
BATTERIES SAFELY
Lithium batteries are found in electronic devices such as your mobile phone, laptop or camera.
As these batteries are fire hazards and a risk to flight safety if they’re not properly packed,
you’ll need to take some precautions for your shipment.
FAQ 3: HOW SHOULD I PACK MY SHIPMENT?
And don’t worry if this is your first time shipping lithium batteries, because this guide will make it easy.
Simply follow the 3 steps listed below and you‘re ready to ship.
Proper Packing
STEP 1: CLASSIFY TYPE OF LITHIUM BATTERY
Different types of lithium
batteries follow different shipping
requirements and regulations.
The first thing you need to know
is which type of battery it is.
Start by identifying which type of
lithium battery it is by answering
two simple questions on the right.
Regardless of your shipping method,
you should always use a strong
outer packaging. If you’re shipping
batteries only, or with equipment,
you must individually pack each cell
or battery in an inner package that
protects it from short circuits.
If you’re shipping batteries
in equipment, your packaging
must protect your electronic
device from being switched
on accidentally.
Never pack your batteries without any
inner package, or with metal objects
such as tools and keys.
FAQ 4: HOW DO I ENSURE MY SHIPMENT PASSES THE DROP TEST?
Your package should be able to
withstand a 1.2-metre drop without:
• Any damage to cells or batteries
• Contact between batteries due to shifting of its contents
• Releasing its contents
Who do I call for assistance or approval?
DHL Express Customer Service Hotline: 1800
2858888
Batteries only
Batteries with
equipment
Batteries in
equipment
Damaged or
waste/recycling
batteries
Is your lithium battery re-chargeable? (Select A or B)
A: YES – Lithium ion
B : NO – Lithium metal
How will you be packing your lithium battery? (Select i, ii or iii)
i Batteries only
Shipments containing only batteries
ii Batteries with equipment
Shipments containing batteries with your electronic device, but not installed in it
iii Batteries in equipment
Shipments containing batteries installed in your electronic device, that haven‘t
been removed
Take note that your batteries can’t be shipped if they’re damaged, or if they are waste/
recycling or disposal batteries, so check them carefully.Based on your answers above (A
or B; i, ii, or iii), you can find the classification (PI Code) of your battery. Then, refer to
the table overleaf for more details.
TYPE OF LITHIUM BATTERIES
Ai Lithium ion batteries only
Aii Lithium ion batteries with equipment
Aiii Lithium ion batteries in equipment
Bi Lithium metal batteries only
Bii
Biii
Lithium metal batteries with equipment
Lithium metal batteries in equipment
Remarks: The SHIPPER bears the ultimate responsibility in ensuring full compliance to the DG regulations for Lithium Batteries. This is stated
clearly in IATA DGR 2013 SHIPPERS RESPONSIBILITY section 1.3.
CLASSIFICATION – PI CODE
PI965
PI966
PI967
PI968
PI969
PI970
Singapore 2014
Singapore 2014
STEP 2: ENSURE IF SHIPMENT NEEDS AN APPROVAL
Shipping lithium batteries is fully
regulated under IATA regulations
and subject to Dangerous Goods
approval (DG approval).
However, if your batteries meet
certain requirements and fall into
the lower risk Section II criteria,
you can enjoy a simpler shipping
process and may be exempted
from Full DG approval.
TYPE OF APPROVAL REQUIRED
What are the considerations for Section II?
1. Cell capacity / lithium content
2. Maximum number of cells and batteries per package
3. Maximum weight per package
Section II requirements for each type of lithium batteries are different.
E.g. PI967 Lithium Ion batteries in equipment
• Per cell : < 20 Wh
• Per battery : < 100Wh
• Total weight per package <5 kg (net)
REQUIREMENTS TO CLASSIFY LITHIUM BATTERIES AS SECTION II
PI965
What is the
1
Please refer to the table on the next page to find out more about
Section II requirements.
STEP 3: PREPARE DOCUMENTATION AND LABELS
Depending on your shipping
method, you will also need a
material safety data sheet (MSDS)
and battery declaration letter.
Simply check our Lithium Batteries
Classification Table, and call the
DHL Express Customer Service
Hotline if necessary.
If your batteries complies with Section II requirements, please refer to the
Classification Table.
Section II : Basic Account Approval in
DHL Account Approval System [AAS]
Section I: Full DG Approval
2
PI966
PI967
PI968
PI969
PI970
Cell
Capacity
Per cell:
<20Wh;
Per cell:
<20Wh;
Per cell:
<20Wh;
Per cell:
<1g lithium;
Per cell:
<1g lithium;
Per cell:
<1g lithium;
Lithium
Content?
Per battery:
<100Wh
Per battery:
<100Wh
Per battery:
<100Wh
Per battery:
<2g lithium
Per battery:
<2g lithium
Per battery:
<2g lithium
Maximum
number
≤2.7Wh:
no limit;
Those
necessary to
power the
equipment +
2 spares
No limit
5kg net
5kg net
or
of batteries
per package?
__
__
>2.7Wh:
8 cells or
2 batteries
__
Those
necessary to
power the
equipment +
2 spares
__
__
≤0.3g:
No limit;
No limit
__
>0.3g:
8 cells or
2 batteries
__
__
Label Sample
3
Maximum
weight
per package?
≤2.7Wh:
2.5kg net;
__
>2.7Wh:
No limit
5kg net
5kg net
≤0.3g:
2.5kg net;
__
>0.3g:
No limit
FAQ 1: HOW DO I FIND OU T MY BATTERY’S WATT-HOUR RATING?
Normally the watt-hour rating should
be printed at the back of batteries.
Even if you can‘t find your battery‘s
watt-hour rating stated anywhere,
it‘s still easy to figure out. Just check
its label or packaging for its voltage and
ampere-hour rating (1,000mAh = 1Ah),
then calculate its watt-hour rating with
the formula on the right:
Ampere-hour (Ah) x Voltage (V) = Watt-hour (Wh)
If you have a battery of 2,300mAH (2.3Ah) with a voltage of 1.5V,
its watt-hour rating would be:
2.3Ah x 1.5V = 3.45Wh